Pure Charolais steers are consistently demonstrating
performance that exceeds their Charolais cross counterparts and
subsequently, achieving the highest gross return according to
the third set of interim results from a trial at SAC Bush in
the Scottish borders commissioned by the British Charolais Cattle
Society.

The purebreds supported average daily liveweight
gains of 1.37kg and the majority graded in the U bracket and
fat class 3 or 4L, making them eligible for a premium market.

The trial which was primarily designed by BCCS
to investigate the role of purebred Charolais as a potential
suckler damline in the UK, is mirroring the role played by the
breed in its native France where the suckler population amounts
to approximately two million purebred Charolais cows.

A sub herd of 30 commercial purebred Charolais
heifers was established four years ago within SAC’s 200
cow spring calving herd on its Easter Howgate LFA unit. The heifers
were sourced from several herds as functionally sound for commercial
breeding purposes.

Apart from focusing on the purebred commercial
Charolais heifers which have demonstrated that they can calve
down at an average two years with minimal assistance, the trial
is investigating the pure Charolais male calves, a by-product
from the trial. These were steers and introduced to an intensive
finishing system post weaning at seven to eight months to determine
level of performance.

“The latest trial results reflect the pure Charolais steers’ ability
to maximise market potential for both weight and grades, and
they are encouraging when taking into account their sire was
selected for his maternal ability,” said SAC’s beef
specialist, Gavin Hill.

“The pure Charolais and Charolais cross steers recorded
an identical lifetime daily live weight gain of 1.30kg. See Table
1. A very similar trend was reported in the crop of steers 12
months earlier.

Table 1: Lifetime performance

Charolais

Charolais cross

Weaning to slaughter:
ave DLG kg

1.20

1.20

Overall birth
to slaughter: ave DLG kg

1.30

1.30

Ave final weight:
kg

610

579

Ave age at slaughter:
days

436

409

Ave gross slaughter
return: £/head

795.41

746.99

Source: SAC 2006

“However,
the pure Charolais steers were grown on to heavier weights at
slaughter without putting down unwanted fat levels,” he
reports. “In fact they produced superior carcase grades
over the Charolais cross steers with more than 70% of pure Charolais
steers grading U 4L or better.” See Table 2. “That
extra weight, plus superior conformation enabled them to achieve
the highest average gross return of £795 a head.”

Table 2: grading %

Charolais

Charolais cross

-U3

7

13

-U4L

65

21

-U4H

0

8

R3

21

0

R4L

7

33

R4H

0

25

Source: SAC 2006

“Overall, these findings reinforce the trial’s previous
results, and conclude that under the new payment regime, purebred
Charolais will suit the market place with their ability to finish
at optimum weight at an early age.” said Mr Hill.

“In addition, we reared these cattle to match a specific
target market where substantial premiums are paid for U3, U4L
and R3 Grade cattle.”

He comments: “It is vital that we target the right market
for our cattle today. Processors vary often in specification
and weight they are looking for, therefore producers need to
be aware of who wants what and match it accordingly. While we
grew the pure Charolais on for a little longer for additional
weight, our stockman had the skill to identify exactly they were
ready to be drawn to achieve the best carcase grades.

“However as with many other pure breeds there is vital
importance in developing and identifying those bulls with good
maternal lines which will breed suitable replacements for the
herd while also producing finishing cattle that will suit the
market place in the future on an economic basis.”

BCCS’ David Benson said: “The latest
SAC results confirm that the real value of Charolais has so far,
without a doubt, been under estimated in the UK. While an increasing
number of commercial producers are realising the breed’s
value as a terminal sire and its ability to demonstrate growth
is king, the role of the pure Charolais role within the suckler
herd is now being proven in the SAC trial.

“Once again, purebred Charolais steers have
delivered equal if not higher performance and subsequently higher
returns than Charolais crosses, findings which need to be seriously
taken on board by dedicated suckler producers who are currently
reassessing their businesses to find the most cost effective
system in the run up to 2012.”

He adds: “They must also remember that the
cows themselves are also scheduled to eventually command premiums
in the cull marketplace.”